Gerber is the standard file format used to drive photoplotters. These machines produce the dense, accurate, high resolution film required to make printed circuit boards, screen printing artwork, and precision devices like linear and rotary encoders. The imagesetters used by printers and publishers are similar, but lack the absolute accuracy of photo plotted film.
Other methods to produce printed circuit and screen printing artwork include printing to paper or transparency film on a laser or inkjet printer/plotter, and photo reduction on a graphic arts camera. These methods are inferior to photo plotting because they result in reduced image density, dimensional accuracy, or both.
Laserlab, Inc. has been producing high-quality photo plots for companies like Agilent, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Motorola since 1988. We started development of our Dxf2gbr© translator in 1992 to meet the stringent accuracy needs of microwave circuit designers. Since then we've used it on a daily basis and improved its capabilities as the need arose.
Currently (January, 2009) Dxf2gbr© is compatible with AutoCAD 2000 and earlier. We accept both .dwg and .dxf files. Generally it is best to send the .dwg file because it is smaller and easier to open. We have Autodesk's DWG TrueConvert 2007 and can convert .dwg files up to and including AutoCAD 2007 to AutoCAD 2000 format. We cannot convert .dxf files produced by newer versions of AutoCAD to AutoCAD 2000. Recent versions of AutoCAD have the ability to output files in older formats so, if possible, please send files in AutoCAD 2000 format. If you cannot output an AutoCAD 2000 file, please send a .dwg file instead of a .dxf file so that we can use DWG TrueConvert 2007 to fix it.
Here's a sample AutoCAD .dwg file of a two-sided PCB, along with the Gerber files and Excellon drill files for it.
The file is namedsample_two_sided_pcb.zip and is 45,863 bytes long.
| Description | Price |
|---|---|
| Output .dxf file (each) from customer-supplied AutoCAD .dwg file | 5.00 |
| Convert small (< 10 MB .dxf + .gbr) .dxf file to Gerber format | 15.00 |
| Convert large (> 10 MB .dxf + .gbr) .dxf file to Gerber format | 30.00 |
| Excellon Drill file | 30.00 |
| Editing -- fix problems with customer supplied files -- per 10 minutes or fraction thereof | 15.00 |
Laserlab, Inc. provides each customer with the edited (corrected) AutoCAD file we use to generate your Gerber and Excellon files. This is done to allow you to resubmit the file at a later date, perhaps with design alterations, or to submit a new design, without incurring editing fees at Laserlab, provided the exact same design conventions are used.
Laserlab, Inc. warrants that all work performed by us will result in an accurate representation of the AutoCAD file or files you supply to us. Furthermore, Laserlab warrants that the generated Gerber and Excellon files will be acceptable to your board fabricator, if applicable. It is your responsibility to verify the correctness and suitability of the supplied Gerber and/or Excellon files prior to forwarding to a third party for further processing or releasing them to manufacturing. In the event you find errors in the Gerber/Excellon translation process, or your fabricator has issues with the files due to errors or omissions made at Laserlab, we will correct them at no charge.
Design errors or modifications are not covered under this warranty and will require submission of a new file or files and the payment of additional translation fees.